Thursday, August 28, 2008

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Senator Johnson Makes Stops in Central South Dakota Wednesday

South Dakota’s U.S. Senator Tim Johnson made a few stops in Central South Dakota yesterday as part of his 19-city tour of the state.  Johnson took part in a roundtable discussion about wind energy at Lower Brule Tribal Headquarters.  He talked with tribal leaders in Lower Brule about a plan by the tribe to create the largest wind farm in Indian country.   Johnson says he is trying to extend a “Production Tax Credit” in Washington, which helps tribes to develop and gain ownership interests in wind projects.  Johnson also stopped in Pierre and Fort Pierre late yesterday.  He visited with Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill and City Administrator Leon Schochenmaier at city hall, discussing such topics as the downtown revitalization effort, improvements at Pierre’s airport and changes to the rail line in town to prepare for a proposed increase in train traffic.   Mayor Laurie Gill says yesterday’s meeting with Johnson was helpful.  She says the city will need funding assistance through varying sources to complete Pierre’s extensive downtown revitalization plan.

The revitalization plan calls for making some of Pierre’s downtown buildings meet an overall historic theme and also calls for completion of some needed utility work that must be done underneath city streets.  Senator Johnson says the downtown revitalization plan and other details he discussed with city leaders yesterday shows that the community is moving in a positive direction.

TOP: Senator Johnson meeting with Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill and City Administrator Leon Schochenmaier. BOTTOM:  The Senator talked with Fort Pierre Mayor Sam Tidball as they traveled from Pierre's City Hall to various sites around Fort Pierre.  Johnson saw a number of improvements underway in Fort Pierre, including new businesses in the Teton Island Development, new housing areas and changes that are starting along Highway 1806 north of town.

22 Take Names Off November Ballot for State Legislature

Preparations continue in the Secretary of State’s Office for November’s general election.  Secretary of State Chris Nelson says earlier this month, the deadline passed for candidates to take their names off this fall’s ballot.  He says there were 22 people who had intended to run for state legislature, who changed their minds and announced they were pulling out of the election by the August 5 withdrawal deadline.  He says many of those who pulled their names have been replaced by others named by their respective political party.

Those that withdrew from the fall ballot were almost evenly split between Republican and Democrat candidates with ten Democrats and 12 Republicans changing their minds.  One of those who will no longer be on the November ballot is Republican State Representative Mark DeVries of Belvidere.  DeVries served District 27 for two years.  He pulled out of November’s race, but was replaced by Kenny Fox of Belvidere.  Fox and candidate Dawn Rasmussen of Kadoka are now the two Republican candidates and join Democrats Kevin Killer of Pine Ridge and Ed Iron Cloud III of Porcupine and Independent Ted Hamilton of Porcupine on the ballot.  All five are in the running for the two open District 27 House seats formerly filled by DeVries and Jim Bradford of Pine Ridge.  Nelson says the November ballot is just about ready to print, but awaits the official name of the Republican vice presidential candidate which will be determined soon.

An extensive list of candidates and other election information is available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sdsos.gov

Two Pierre Girls Given “Saved by the Belt” Awards by Highway Patrol This Morning

Two Pierre teens were honored with “Saved by the Belt” awards by the South Dakota Highway Patrol this morning.  Kennede Guptill and Emily Fredrich, both 15-years-old, were given certificates noting their use of the safety devices.  The teens were involved in a crash at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Highway 14/83 north of Pierre.  The accident occurred October 26 when the vehicle driven by Guptill collided with one driven by 32-year-old Jeffrey Runyan of Harrold.  Guptill’s mother, Dawn Nagel Crawford was one of those on hand for this morning’s brief award ceremony at Riggs High School.  She says she hopes that other teens will note that the seatbelts saved the girls from a more serious outcome…and says she has hopes that changes can be made at the busy intersection on Pierre’s northside, where other accidents have happened in the past.

Trooper Jon Stahl presents a Saved by the Belt Award to Kennede Guptill, as Emily Fredrich looks on.  We'll have comments from Stahl, Guptill and Fredrich in a separate MDN.

Only a Few More Days to See “Sue”

(Copyright 2008 Dakota Radio Group.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Six school districts have been selected for a trial that starts next week as examples to show that the state of South Dakota is not adequately funding education. Those challenging the school funding system will focus on the Rapid City, Faith, Doland, Bon Homme, Willow Lake and Florence school districts. Lawyers say superintendents from those schools and other witnesses will present evidence in the case, filed by about 100 of the state's 168 districts. Lawyers for the state plan to counter with testimony and evidence intended to show that South Dakota students outperform those in most other states, even though South Dakota spends less per pupil than the national average. The trial starts Tuesday in Pierre before Circuit Judge Lori Wilbur and could last six weeks.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The percentage of South Dakota students who were found to be competent or advanced on an annual state assessment required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act inched forward this year. Seventy-six percent of all students tested this spring were competent or advanced in math, compared to 75 percent last year. Eighty-four percent were competent or advanced in reading, compared to 83 percent last year. About 63,000 public school students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 took Dakota STEP or Dakota STEP-A exams. Results are used to determine if school districts meet the 100 percent competence level required by No Child Left Behind. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A nine-member task force formed to examine South Dakota's educational services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing is scheduled to meet today in Sioux Falls. The Task Force on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education holds its third meeting at the University Center. The group is expected to hear from South Dakota School for the Deaf Superintendent Terry Gregersen. Public testimony also is on the agenda. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Nearly two-dozen visually impaired people will be out of jobs this fall with the closing of a longtime non-profit business in Sioux Falls. South Dakota Industries for the Blind will shut down operations in October. The organization has operated for nearly 60-years to provide manufacturing, packing and sorting jobs for people with disabilities. A board of directors official says a downturn in the economy and mounting bills are forcing shutdown of the Sioux Falls plant. South Dakota Industries for the Blind needed to raise $300,000 by the end of September to pay off debts, but board members said that was not likely. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A report from the Census Bureau finds that about one in 10 South Dakotans didn't have health insurance last year. The report puts the number of uninsured in the state at 80,000. The state's uninsured rate of 10.1 percent is below the national rate of 15.3 percent. Nationally, the number of people without health insurance fell by more than 1 million last year, largely because more people were covered through government programs. 

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - About 100 workers from a Wisconsin company building the TransCanada oil pipeline will be based in Aberdeen, starting Tuesday. But that's only about one-fourth of those to arrive by fall. An official of Michels Pipeline Construction company says trailer houses will be moved to Aberdeen this weekend as project headquarters are shifted from Valley City, N.D. The move comes as preliminary work moves from Marshall County into Day County. Aberdeen is the only area town large enough to accommodate a rapid influx of 400 construction workers. The TransCanada pipeline will carry crude oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The Bureau of Indian Affairs director says the Oglala Sioux Tribe can keep its own police department by showing it can reduce lawlessness on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. But Pat Ragsdale also says the tribe could lose control to the BIA. He says he'll evaluate the situation when a month-long plan to provide extra officers ends in a couple of weeks. BIA sent in about 25 officers from several states after an Aug. 12 confrontation between some tribal police officers and council members, which prompted several officers to resign. Results of a probe were turned over to U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley, whose office concluded there wasn't enough evidence to charge someone with a federal offense, so the matter was referred to tribal prosecutors. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Revenue to South Dakota's American Indian casinos fell last year, but Deadwood casinos and the state lottery report steady revenue. An Indian Gaming Industry Report shows Indian gambling revenue in South Dakota decreased by 3 percent in 2007. It was the second straight year for a decline. Nine tribes operated 12 casinos in the state. Meanwhile, data from the South Dakota Gaming Commission and Lottery Office show that gambling revenue in Deadwood and from state-run games like video lottery and scratch ticket lottery has continued to increase in the face of higher costs for fuel, food and utilities. 

BLACK HAWK, S.D. (AP) - It took some good reflexes, but the man at the wheel of a runaway garbage truck near Black Hawk managed to miss homes along a curvy road as the unfettered vehicle lumbered downhill. The driver said the air brakes on the truck failed Wednesday while he was on his scheduled route. The South Dakota Highway Patrol says the driver did a remarkable job of keeping the truck on the road until it finally flopped over on a sharp curve. Some fluids and a little garbage were spilled, but the patrol says the real challenge was getting the truck upright on a narrow road lined with a lot of trees. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A crash 27 miles east of Watertown on Highway 212 has claimed two lives. The victims are identified as Lonnie G. Johnson, 86, of Pine City, Minn., and Marilyn J. Broz, 80, of Pine City, Minn. Authorities say Johnson was driving a car that struck an oncoming vehicle on Wednesday. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Sioux Falls man could go to prison after acknowledging that he sold counterfeit fashion clothing over the Internet to buyers who thought they were getting the real deal. James Van Ampting pleaded guilty in federal court in Sioux Falls to trafficking in stolen goods from February to April, 2007. According to court documents, prosecutors will recommend that he make restitution to the victims of $22,440. In pleading guilty, Van Ampting agreed to forfeit counterfeit Nikes and other items, including: 76 purses, 69 pairs of shoes, nine wallets, five pairs of Oakley sunglasses, three Lacoste shirts, three Rolex watches and an Apple iPhone. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A box of ammunition has been found on the grounds of the Lowell Elementary School in Sioux Falls. Authorities say a custodian found the .50-caliber bullets before classes were set to begin Wednesday. The ammunition apparently was stolen after being delivered to a nearby home. The homeowner reported the theft. School was not canceled or delayed. The ammunition was turned over to police. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - One of six people from North Dakota and South Dakota charged with arranging illegal hunting trips has acknowledged her role. Frankie Johnson of Dupree pleaded guilty in federal court in Pierre to misdemeanor Lacey Act violations and faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Prosecutors say she and her husband, Kirk Johnson, leased land to Brent and Dawn Barton, who arranged illegal hunts for at least 36 customers between 2003 and 2006 through their outfitting business South Dakota Adventures. The hunts are alleged to have been done on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation with Standing Rock Sioux tribal deer licenses. Also charged in the 12-count indictment are Connie Frailing and Dan Haakenson. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The Highway Patrol says it found 18 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 90. It happened Sunday just east of Chamberlain. The patrol says the out-of-state driver was arrested after a drug dog found marijuana with a street value of $21,000 to $27,000. 

This Highway Patrol photo shows drugs that were confiscated over the weekend on Interstate 90 near Chamberlain. (Courtesy Photo)

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's Public Service Commission is endorsing a planned $1.2 billion expansion of South Dakota's Big Stone power plant. Otter Tail Power Co. and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. had asked state regulators to rule in advance that the project is justified. The commission's endorsement means the utilities will have an easier time getting electric rate increases to pay for the project once it is finished. Otter Tail and Montana-Dakota are among the partners who want to build the Big Stone II power plant in northeastern South Dakota. It's designed to supply 500 megawatts of electricity. Commissioner Tony Clark says consumers will benefit from the PSC's ruling, because the utilities will be able to get cheaper financing. 

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) - The lights will dim for the final time on a piece of South Dakota theatrical history on Sunday as the Black Hills Passion Play concludes a seven-decade run at Spearfish. No closing event is planned for the final performance, but a large crowd is expected. The amphitheatre property has been for sale for several years. Current negotiations are under way with a potential buyer. The Passion Play was first performed in its outdoor setting in May of 1939 in an amphitheatre designed by founder and longtime star Josef Meier. The theater seats 6,000 and has the longest outdoor stage in the country. 

HURON, S.D. (AP) - The weather is looking favorable for the South Dakota State Fair on its five-day run in Huron. The theme of Thursday's opening is Value Added Agriculture. There's a chance of showers on closing day Monday. Otherwise it should be mostly sunny with highs in the 80s. Among new attractions this year is a free lumberjack show, featuring log rolling and log chopping competitions. Another event will highlight cowboy sharpshooters who fire at targets while riding horses. Featured grandstand entertainers are music acts George Jones, Montgomery Gentry and .38 Special. 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - The concrete floor for a $25 million hockey arena has been poured at Rapid City. Workers spent several hours Wednesday pouring 270 cubic yards of concrete in an addition to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. To prevent cracks, the concrete had to be poured and set in one day. Cracks in the floor of an ice arena could allow water to seep into the base and buckle the floor. The arena will be home base for the Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League. The CHL season starts in October, and the first home game for the Rush is expected in late November. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Attorneys are to make their opening statements today in the trial of a former Fargo YMCA day care worker. Jatten Heinen is accused of molesting children in his care last summer. 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - Officials at the Grand Forks events center are proposing to spend about five-and-one-half million-dollars on upgrades. The plans for the Alerus include a new entrance on the building's convention side. 

FORT YATES, N.D. (AP) - Sitting Bull College officials have dedicated a new entrepreneurial center. It's part of a 40 million dollar renovation plan for the campus on the Standing Rock reservation, and it's aimed at helping the area grow. 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - State officials have closed their investigation into a recent spike in electric bills to Otter Tail Power Company customers. The Public Service Commission says the higher costs were unavoidable because of power plant repairs. 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - At least four people were hurt when a drug suspect crashed into cars while trying to elude police in St. Paul. Two of the injured were seriously hurt as they were getting into their parked car. The 20-year-old suspect was booked into jail. 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Three videographers from New York City got their equipment back after they were stopped and questioned by police in Minneapolis. The videographers are in the Twin Cities to cover the Republican National Convention. They were stopped while walking to where they were staying in northeast Minneapolis. 

ST. PAUL (AP) - Ramsey County prosecutors want to try a 15-year-old boy as an adult in the shooting death of another 15-year-old who refused to shake his hand. According to the complaint, the suspect and the victim had fought earlier -- and the suspect was shot when he later tried to shake the suspect's hand at a party. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
From the Associated Press

DENVER (AP) - Barack Obama will deliver a history-making acceptance speech tonight at the Democratic Convention. Tens of thousands of people will be in Denver's Mile High Stadium 45 years after Martin Luther King said "I have a dream." 

DENVER (AP) - Delaware Senator Joe Biden has accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination. At the party's convention last night, Biden said while his friendship with John McCain "goes beyond politics," the Republican candidate "doesn't get it" when it comes to the struggles of middle-class Americans. 

DENVER (AP) - Bill Clinton has unambiguously passed the torch of Democratic leadership to Barack Obama. Last night the former president repeatedly said that Obama was ready to serve as president. 

DENVER (AP) - It's thought that either Mitt Romney or Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty could be tapped by John McCain as his running mate in the next few days. Whoever it is is expected to appear with McCain at one or more rallies in midwestern swing states this weekend. 

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thousands of armed demonstrators in Thailand are defying a court order to vacate the prime minister's office compound. Protesters are demanding that the country's leaders resign. Police say they'll use force if they have to, though no deadline has been set.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The U.S.-led coalition says a roadside bomb has killed one of its members in southern Afghanistan. A statement says the soldier died while on patrol yesterday, but doesn't disclose their nationality or where the blast happened. 

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) - Police say a bomb hit a van carrying prisoners in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least eight people. Police say it's not clear whether Thursday's attack on a bridge in the town of Bannu was carried out by suicide bombers. 

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Georgia's foreign minister is warning again that the ethnic cleansing of Georgians is taking place in South Ossetia. She says the process is being implemented both in villages in the conflict zone and elsewhere throughout the territory. 

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Tropical Storm Gustav is slowly regaining some of the strength it lost over Haiti. Right now the storm is approaching Jamaica. Forecasters say it could be a hurricane by tomorrow, and possibly a major hurricane steaming toward the Gulf Coast this weekend. 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Authorities in New Orleans aren't taking any chances with Tropical Storm Gustav. Forecasters are warning the storm could hit the Gulf as a major hurricane, so city officials have begun preliminary planning for an evacuation in hopes of avoiding the catastrophe that followed Hurricane Katrina. 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - John A. "Junior" Gotti is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Florida today, on charges that link him to three mob slayings. Federal prosecutors say he headed up an arm of the Gambino family. Gotti, who is the son of the former Gambino family boss, denies the charges. 

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) - More than 100 animals destined for religious sacrifice have been rescued from a backyard in a northern suburb of New York City. Westchester police responding to a complaint found about 30 goats and rams plus crates of chickens, ducks, quail, turtles, pigeons and doves. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief Ken Ross says Luis Perez-Hernandez and his son had planned to sacrifice the animals in a ritual of the Afro-Caribbean religion, Santeria. 

BEIJING (AP) - Authorities say a teen in Palm Bay, Florida, chased his mother and beat his brother because of a change to his computer privileges. Florida Today reports the 15-year-old boy was on the home computer Sunday when he discovered his older brother had made changes to the system. Police say the teen threw several objects and chased his mother with a knife. Police also say the teen beat his brother with a sugar cane stick. The older brother and the mother told police the boy pushed his mother several times while clutching the knife. The teen has been charged with aggravated assault and battery. 

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - A Maine woman says she'd rather go to jail than turn over a library book she deems "dangerous." And she may get her chance later this week. A judge has ordered JoAn Karkos of Lewiston to turn over by week's end the borrowed book titled, "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health." After appearing in court yesterday, Karkos repeated her contention that the book violates the city's obscenity ordinance, and she said she has no intention of giving up the book. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government says the economy shifted to a higher gear in the spring, growing at its fastest pace in nearly a year. Foreign buyers snapped up U.S. exports and tax rebates spurred shoppers at home contributing to the rebound. The Commerce Department says gross domestic product, or GDP, increased at a 3.3 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter. The revised reading was much better than the government's initial estimate of a 1.9 percent pace and exceeded economists' expectations for a 2.7 percent growth rate.

NEW YORK (AP) - A new survey finds American workers' confidence in the job market is suffering. Sixty-five percent of those questioned in the Rutgers University poll said this is a bad time to find a quality job, and a third said the amount they owe on credit cards exceeds their retirement savings. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - A survey of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies shows more than a quarter of their employees are outside contractors, hired to fill in gaps in the military and civilian work force. While the exact number of contract employees isn't known, it's thought to be about 35,000-40,000. More than a quarter of the contractors engage in intelligence collection and operations, while another 19 percent conduct analysis and produce reports. The agencies say more than half of the contractors are hired because they have unique capabilities. Ten percent were hired because they're more cost effective than government workers. 

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota has lowered next year's sales target by 700,000 vehicles. The new target of 9.7 million vehicles is still a two-percent increase over this year's. Toyota's president is also promising to have a plug-in hybrid car ready by the end of next year. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - A government safety group is warning parents not to use baby bassinets made by a Pennsylvania company. The products are blamed for the deaths of two babies who were trapped and strangled in the product. The "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets are made by Simplicity. 

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft is testing a new version of Internet Explorer that allows people to surf the Internet without leaving a trace. The beta version of Internet Explorer 8 allows users to engage a mode called InPrivateBrowsing. It covers temporary Internet files and cookies, and it stops a list of visited sites from being stored on the computer. Companies, including Microsoft, use that kind of information to target ads to users. The InPrivateBlocking mode takes it further, blocking certain types of ads and third-party content. Microsoft's JJ Richards says users want "transparency, trust and control with respect to the sites they visit." Mike Zaneis of the Internet Advertising Bureau says the technology could destroy small sites that rely on advertising. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP) - Fans of the all-over tan don't have to cover-up -- at least not on a Southern California beach. An Orange County judge has pulled the plug on a crackdown on nude sunbathers at San Onofre State Beach. Superior Court Judge Sheila Fell ruled yesterday that police can't charge the naked people unless a private citizen complains first. That had been the policy since the late '70s. But officials said they would ban nudity after Labor Day, because of complaints about lewd behavior. With the judge's ruling in place, now the nudists just need to wear sunscreen. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Olympic record-setter Michael Phelps is sharing an honor with presidents. His picture is going up in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. The photo goes on display starting today. The color photo shows the Olympic gold medallist underwater with a stream of bubbles flowing from his nose. It was taken in 2004 for the cover The New York Times Magazine. It had been on display in the gallery once before. Phelps, of course, recently won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. He won six other gold medals at the 2004 games. The Phelps picture will stay on display with the other notables at the Portrait Gallery through January. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - This john's a palace. The men's room at the Hermitage Hotel takes the top honors as the nation's best restroom. The terrazzo floor shines, as does the art deco tile work. The Nashville bathroom is so swanky, the hotel even has pictures of weddings taking place there. Second in the best potty contest is the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. There, gents answering the call of nature can look out of one-way mirrors over the urinals. The best restroom contest is sponsored by Cintas, which sells restroom supplies and work uniforms. 

WAVELAND, Ind. (AP) - The shoe perp is more like a pup. Folks in the small Indiana town of Waveland have noticed their shoes disappearing one by one. The shoe thefts started in June. Now, acting town marshal Rob Kiger and others think a stray dog is the shoe robber. He's seen a brown and white dog, possibly a beagle, carrying footwear. Others have spotted shoes and the dog near the town fire station. Kiger says he's tried to catch the canine crook, but it's just too fast. 

DALLAS (AP) - Almost everything is fit to be fried at the State Fair of Texas. This year's fried fare includes deep fried s'mores, a fried banana split and chicken-fried bacon strips. They're among the eight finalists in the Big Tex Choice Awards, which honor the mega-calorie treats. Abel Gonzales isn't about to let the title slip through his fingers. He won last year with his fried cookie dough. This year, Gonzales is frying up what he calls "Fire & Ice." It's a battered pineapple ring, topped with banana-flavored frozen whipped cream, strawberries and syrup. The winner will be announced Monday, while the fair opens September 26th. 

BUNOL, Spain (AP) - Food fight! Combine 113 tons of ripe tomatoes and 40,000 partying Spaniards and you have the recipe for a mega-mess. Tens of thousands of people had a blast yesterday belting each other with tomatoes, during the annual summer ritual in the village of Bunol. It all got started in the 1940's. Now, some people aren't satisfied with just tossing the tomatoes, they tried hitting them with tennis rackets. After it was all over, the tons of tomato mush was hosed away by clean-up crews. 

HOUSTON (AP) - A judge in Texas has ordered the father of actress and singer Hilary Duff to spend 10 days in jail for contempt of court. Bob Duff was led away in handcuffs Wednesday during a court hearing after Judge Thomas Stansbury in Houston determined he violated an injunction against selling assets without court approval. The Houston Chronicle reported in its online edition that Bob Duff must pay into a court repository $367,537 he earned from selling stocks last month. Bob Duff's attorney Robert Piro said his client would post bond and file an appeal. Bob and Susan Duff are in the midst of a bitter divorce. Stansbury determined Bob Duff should pay Susan $12,500 for Hilary's birthday party, which was the subject of the hearing. Her mother wanted $25,000 to pay for a present and party. Neither Hilary, whose 21st birthday is Sept. 28, nor her sister Haylie were in court. 

JERUSALEM (AP) - The oldest known version of the Hebrew Bible is being preserved digitally. Israeli and American scientists are digitally reproducing the Dead Sea Scrolls online. Special imaging cameras are being used to record the manuscripts without damaging them. The Israeli Antiquities Authority says 
reproducing the thousands of scroll fragments will take about five years. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain almost the entire Hebrew Bible dating back more than 2,000 years. They were discovered accidentally by a shepherd in 1947 and are considered one of the most important archaeological finds ever. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Today is Thursday, August 28th, the 241st day of 2008. There are 125 days left in the year. 

Today's Highlight in History: 
On August 28th, 1963, 200,000 people participated in a peaceful civil rights rally in Washington D.C., where Dr. Martin Luther King Junior delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. 

On this date: 
In 1609, Henry Hudson discovered Delaware Bay. 
In 1774, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint, was born in New York City. 
In 1907, United Parcel Service had its beginnings as the American Messenger Company of Seattle. 
In 1947, legendary bullfighter Manolete was mortally wounded by a bull during a fight in Linares, Spain; he was 30. 
In 1955, Emmett Till, a black teen-ager from Chicago, was abducted from his uncle's home in Money, Mississippi, by two white men after he had supposedly whistled at a white woman; he was found brutally slain three days later. 
In 1968, police and anti-war demonstrators clashed in the streets of Chicago as the Democratic national convention nominated Hubert H. Humphrey for president. 
In 1973, more than 600 people died as an earthquake shook central Mexico. 
In 1983, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, reportedly despondent over the death of his wife and 
the rising casualty toll of Israeli troops in Lebanon, announced his resignation. 
In 1988, 70 people were killed when three Italian stunt planes collided during an air show at the U.S. Air Base in Ramstein, West Germany. 
In 1995, a mortar shell tore through a crowded market in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, killing some three dozen people and triggering NATO airstrikes against the Bosnian Serbs. 

Ten years ago: President Clinton, speaking in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, said he'd become such an expert in asking forgiveness in recent days that it was now "burned in my bones." But he still stopped short of offering a direct apology for the Monica Lewinsky affair. 
Five years ago: British Prime Minister Tony Blair denied the government had "sexed up" a dossier on Iraq's weapons threat, and said he would have resigned if it had been true. A Defense Department survey found that nearly one in five female Air Force Academy cadets said they had been sexually assaulted during their time at the academy. 
One year ago: A day after reports surfaced of his June arrest at the Minneapolis airport, Senator Larry Craig (Republican, Idaho) told a news conference the only thing he had done wrong was to plead guilty after a police complaint of lewd conduct in a men's room; Craig also declared, "I am not gay. I never have been gay." A military court at Fort Meade, Maryland, acquitted Army Lieutenant Colonel Steven L. Jordan of failing to control U.S. soldiers who abused detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, but found him guilty of disobeying an order not to discuss the investigation. (However, that conviction was later thrown out.) Oscar-winning actress Miyoshi Umeki ("Sayonara") died in Licking, Missouri, at age 78. 

Today's Birthdays: Country singer Billy Grammer is 83. Actor Ben Gazzara is 78. Actor Sonny Shroyer is 73. Actor Ken Jenkins is 68. Former Defense Secretary William S. Cohen is 68. Actor David Soul is 65. Baseball manager Lou Piniella is 65. Actress Alice Playten is 61. Singer Wayne Osmond (The Osmonds) is 57. Actor Daniel Stern is 51. Olympic gold medal figure skater Scott Hamilton is 50. Actor John Allen Nelson is 49. Actress Emma Samms is 48. Country singer Shania (shah-NY'-uh) Twain is 43. Actor Billy Boyd ("The Lord of the Rings") is 40. Actor Jack Black is 39. Actor Jason Priestley is 39. Olympic gold medal swimmer Janet Evans is 37. Actor J. August Richards is 35. Rock singer-musician Max Collins (Eve 6) is 30. Actress Carly Pope is 28. Country singer LeAnn Rimes is 26. Actor Michael Galeota is 
24. Country singer Jake Owen is 24. Actor Kyle Massey is 17. 

Thought for Today: "Whom the gods would make bigots, they first deprive of humor." -- The Rev. James M. Gillis, Roman Catholic author, editor and broadcaster (1876-1957). 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

         AMERICAN LEAGUE

Minnesota Twins     6  Seattle Mariners         5

Boston Red Sox     11  N-Y Yankees              3

Baltimore Orioles  11  Chicago White Sox        3

Cleveland Indians   9  Detroit Tigers           7

Tampa Bay Rays      1  Toronto Blue Jays        0

Texas Rangers       3  Kansas City Royals       2

Oakland Athletics   6  Los Angeles Angels       5

        NATIONAL LEAGUE

Chicago Cubs          2  Pittsburgh Pirates        0

San Diego Padres      5  Arizona Diamondbacks      4

N-Y Mets              6  Philadelphia Phillies     3

Florida Marlins       4  Atlanta Braves            1

Washington Nationals  5  Los Angeles Dodgers       4

Houston Astros        4  Cincinnati Reds           1

St. Louis Cardinals   5  Milwaukee Brewers         3

San Francisco Giants  4  Colorado Rockies          1 

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PROBABLE PITCHERS (All Times EDT)

                             AMERICAN LEAGUE

Boston (Lester 12-5) at N.Y. Yankees (Mussina 16-7), 1:05 p.m.

Toronto (Litsch 9-7) at Tampa Bay (Jackson 10-8), 7:10 p.m.

Minnesota (Blackburn 9-8) at Oakland (Eveland 8-8), 10:05 p.m.

Texas (McCarthy 0-0) at L.A. Angels (Garland 11-8), 10:05 p.m. 

                            NATIONAL LEAGUE                      

Cincinnati (Harang 4-13) at Houston (Backe 8-12), 2:05 p.m.

Florida (A.Sanchez 2-2) at Atlanta (Morton 3-8), 7:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (Kershaw 2-4) at Washington (Lannan 7-12), 7:10 p.m.

Philadelphia (Hamels 11-8) at Chicago Cubs (Dempster 15-5), 8:05 p.m. 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BASEBALL

North Division Playoffs

First Round   (Best of 5)

No Game Scheduled

South Division Playoffs

First Round  (Best of 5)

No Game Scheduled

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BASEBALL SCHEDULE

North Division Playoffs

Sioux Falls at Sioux City, Sioux Falls leads series 2-0

South Division Playoffs

Fort Worth at Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie leads series 2-0

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

No Games Scheduled

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE  (All Times EDT)

Detroit at Buffalo, 6:30 p.m.

New York Jets at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis, 7 p.m.

New England at New York Giants, 7 p.m.

Jacksonville at Washington 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Baltimore, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

St. Louis at Kansas City, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

Tennessee at Green Bay, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Dallas, 8 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Houston, 8 p.m.

Miami at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

WOMENS NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

No Games Scheduled

SOUTH DAKOTA SCOREBOARD

American Association Baseball

North Division Playoffs

First Round   (Best of 5)

No Game Scheduled

College Volleyball

Sioux Falls 3, Dakota St. 0

Women's Golf

University of Sioux Falls Invitational: Elmwood G.C.

1-Sioux Falls, 329

2-Dakota Wesleyan , 331

3-Nortwestern, 357

Medallist: Kelli Baseley, DWU, 76

High School Soccer

Girls

Sioux Falls Roosevelt 8, Mitchell 1

LOCAL AND REGIONAL SPORTS
From Dakota Radio Group Sports

 Follow the Minnesota Twins during the 2008 season on 1060 KGFX

Day                              Game                                                 First Pitch             Pregame Start.

Today:               Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics             9:07 p.m.                     8:40 p.m.

Friday:               Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics             9:07 p.m.                     8:40 p.m.

Saturday:           Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics             8:05 p.m.                     7:35 p.m.

Sunday:             Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics             3:07 p.m.                     2:06 p.m.

Monday:                  No Game Scheduled

Tuesday:           Minnesota Twins at Toronto Blue Jays            6:07 p.m.                     5:35 p.m.  

Wednesday:      Minnesota Twins at Toronto Blue Jays            6:07 p.m.                     5:35 p.m.

Thursday:          Minnesota Twins at Toronto Blue Jays            6:07 p.m.                     5:35 p.m.    

And be sure to listen to 1060 KGFX Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m. for the “Ron Gardenhire  Show” with the Twins Manager.  And Sunday’s also feature “The GM Show” with Twins General Manager Bill Smith heard just over 35 minutes before the beginning of the Twins Pre Game Show.

     Minnesota Vikings Football on the Dakota Radio Group             

  Day                             Game                                                        Kickoff        Pre-game Start

Tonight             Vikings at Dallas Cowboys                                    7:00 p.m.           6:00 p.m.

Stations of the Dakota Radio Group Play-by-Play Schedule

Station                      Day                            Game                             Game Time       Pre-Game

           No Games Scheduled to be carried this week

          Friday:     Pierre at Spearfish Football                     8:00 p.m.     7:30 p.m.

                              Tuesday:  Aberdeen Central at Pierre Volleyball     7:30 p.m.    7:10 p.m.

          Friday:     Wagner at Miller Area Football               7:00 p.m.     6:45 p.m.

          Friday:     Strasburg/Zeeland, N.D. at Herreid        3:00 p.m.     2:45 p.m.

          Friday:     Linton, N.D. at Mobridge/Pollock            7:00 p.m.     6:50 p.m.

IN SPORTS TODAY:

SEATTLE (AP) - Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase.  Span drove in two runs early and then threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Twins beat the AL-worst Seattle Mariners 6-5, snapping Minnesota's ill-timed losing streak at four.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - PA SportsTicker, the American Association’s official statistician, has selected Sioux Falls Canaries LHP Kris Regas as the August B45 Player of the Month. Regas had a record of 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA and nine saves in August. In 12 1/3 innings pitched, the southpaw closer allowed one earned run on eight hits with two walks and 31 strikeouts. The 28-year-old for the season had a 1-0 record with a 1.29 ERA and a league record 30 saves.

SIOUX CITY - The North Division American Association baseball playoffs continue tonight between the Sioux Falls Canaries and Sioux City Explorers where the Canaries will need one win in order to advance to the American Association League Championship Series. Sioux Falls won the first two games in Sioux Falls including a 7-1 win in game 2 on Tuesday night.  Game Three takes place to night at 7:05 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Stadium.  Righthander Travis Kane (11-6, 3.45) will be on the mound by the Canaries and he will be opposed by Sioux City Explorers RHP Paige Dumont (7-4, 3.34)  If Sioux Falls wins they will advance to the AA championship series.  Game 4 if needed would be tomorrow night in Sioux City.

MITCHELL, S.D. – Two players for the Pierre Rattlers Amateur baseball team were named to the Class A All Tournament team from the recently concluded State Amateur Baseball tournament.  2^nd baseman Pat Anderson and shortstop Kyle Kurth were named to the team.  The Rattlers went 1 and 2 in the state tournament and finished their season with a 25-5 record.  Here is the Class A State All tournament team:

Pat Anderson, Pierre Rattlers; Robin Chute, Vermillion Red Sox; Michael Clapp (MVP, Batting Champ), Renner Monarchs; Cole Knippling, Vermillion Red Sox; Kyle Kurth, Pierre Rattlers; Luke Langenfeld, Renner Monarchs; Brian McGuire, Renner Monarchs; Mark Mendel, Rapid City Angels; Derek Ohme, Renner Monarchs; Tyler Pierson, Renner Roadrunners; John Sayles, Rapid City Angels; Tyler Tasker, Vermillion Red Sox; Mason Vig, Renner Roadrunners; Zach Vlietstra, Rapid City Angels.

MITCHELL, S.D. – Here are the members of the State Class B All Tournament team named from the recently concluded South Dakota State Amateur Baseball Tournament:   

Josh Berndt, Menno; Eric Denning, Mount Vernon; Derek Graesseer, Clearfield; Eric Hames, Wynot; Lee Heimes, Wynot; Phil Johnson (Batting Champ), Dimock-Emery; Kevin Krull, Dell Rapids PBR; Jesse Kurtenbach (MVP), Dell Rapids Mudcats; Willy Meis, Geddes; Travis Peters, Dell Rapids Mudcats; Matt Rempp, Irene; Brett Scherschligt, Freeman; Pat Sees, Irene; Matt Wilbur, Dell Rapids Mudcats; Pete Wilson, Dell Rapids Mudcats.

UNDATED (AP) - Here is a preseason high school football poll by the South Dakota Sportswriters Association, with first-place votes in parentheses and total points out of 45 possible.

Class 11AA

1. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (6)     39

2. Sioux Falls O'Gorman (3)      35

3. Sioux Falls Washington        23

4. Sioux Falls Lincoln           18

5. Watertown                      9

    Also receiving votes: Yankton, Pierre, Brookings, Brandon Valley.       

Class 11A

1. West Central (7)              43

2. St. Thomas More               30

3. Harrisburg (2)                25

4. (tie) Dell Rapids             10

   Winner                        10

    Also receiving votes: Sisseton, Milbank, Vermillion, Hot Springs.       

Class 11B

1. Tri-Valley (3)                38

2. Groton (3)                    30

3. Platte-Geddes-Dak. Christian  20

4. Garretson                     16

5. Aberdeen Roncalli (1)         15

    Also receiving votes: Howard, Wagner, Dakota Valley, Bon Homme.       

Class 9AA

1. Gregory (2)                   30

2. Emery-Ethan (3)               25

3. De Smet-Iroquois (2)          20

4. Marion-Hurley                 18

5. (tie) Ipswich                 15

   Langford-Roslyn (2)           15

   Also receiving votes: Lyman, Canistota-Bridgewater, Clark.      

Class 9A

1. Avon (8)                      44

2. Scotland (1)                  29

3. Sully Buttes                  13

4. Northwestern                  12

5. (tie) Gettysburg               7

   Estelline                      7

   Arlington                      7

   Also receiving votes: Kimball, Great Plains Lutheran.       

Class 9B

1. Dell Rapids St. Mary (2)      36

2. Hanson (4)                    31

3. Colome (3)                    28

4. Harding County                15

5. (tie) Grant-Deuel (1)         11

   Hitchcock-Tulare              11

   Also receiving votes: Herreid.

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa State coach Gene Chizik isn't too worried about the Cyclones overlooking South Dakota State in Thursday's season opener. Chizik says he knows just what to say if his team thinks it can take the upstart Jackrabbits lightly. Northern Iowa. The Panthers thumped Iowa State at home last season. So when Chizik talks up South Dakota State, which will travel to Ames for its first-ever game against a Bowl Subdivision program since joining the Championship Subdivision, the Cyclones are all ears. After all, they've got a lot to prove themselves. The Cyclones were 3-9 last season. They must replace quarterback Bret Meyer, among others. Sophomore Austen Arnaud will start at quarterback against South Dakota State.

AMES, Iowa - The South Dakota Jackrabbits open the 2008 football season tonight at Iowa State at Jack Rice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, marking the first time they have played a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision opponent since the